The new administration of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has finally initiated the renovation of eight hostel buildings meant for undergraduate students. University authorities have asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to complete the work within three months so that students can move into the renovated rooms at the start of the new academic year.
The eight hostel buildings, located within the premises of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Law School, are currently in poor condition. Bathrooms have become shabby and the hostel rooms have deteriorated to such an extent that some students preferred staying outside. The previous administration had taken up the renovation proposal, but the work failed to gain momentum.
This time, Vice-Chancellor Dr Manali Kshirsagar and Registrar Dr Raju Hiwase personally inspected the hostels and found the rooms unfit for living. Following their visit, a meeting was convened where the renovation cost was estimated at ₹5.5 crore. The project will be executed by the PWD, which has requested the university to transfer at least 50 per cent of the funds at the earliest. The university is expected to release the amount next week. It has also asked the PWD to complete the tender process within a month and begin work by April. If the work begins as scheduled, it is expected to be completed within three months.
“Right now, we have kept one building vacant. PWD is expected to complete the renovation of 7 buildings by June so that we can make rooms available to students. We are changing tiles, painting the walls, bathrooms will be given new look, new electrification is on card,” elaborated Dr Hiwase.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Kshirsagar has been approaching administrative tasks with a positive outlook. Instead of criticising the previous regime, she has instructed officials to focus on completing pending work. During the recently adjourned Senate meeting, she made it clear that she did not want discussions centred on past failures and instead emphasised completing ongoing and proposed projects.
“I shall neither criticise the earlier administration nor brood over the things that did not happen in the past. I have clearly asked the people working here that we have to complete the projects taken up in the past and the ones we are proposing,” Dr Kshirsagar stated in the Senate.
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